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SPOTLIGHT 358

12/07/2012 13:06

the Spot Light #358

d.d. Monday, July 16th, 2012

NEW RELEASES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

BRANDED - EVIL GONE WRONG (LP/SOUNDFLAT) The third born long play monster from the wild Swedish '60s inspired r&b-garage-punkers. Recorded with vintage instruments on analogue equipment and pressed on vinyl, in order to ensure an authentic garage rock sound.

VAN COOTHS - OFF TO THE USA (LP/GREYP AS-T) An exciting new band from the south of the Netherlands. Van Cooths feature a 16 years old female lead vocalist, backed by experienced musicians with a (grey) past in bands s.a. Keefman, Krontjong Devils, and others which we are not aloud to mention. Musically think of Blondie, the Dum Dum Girls or the Shop Assistants with flashes of garage psych and cold wave. Edition of 350 copies on coloured vinyl.

PUNO AMERICANO & HIS PUNETTES - HELLO SHAKE (CD/SLEAZY) Have you ever imagined what would happen if Eddie Cochran and the Ramones had played together? Puno Americano & His Punettes are the answer. Formed in 2010 and influenced by old times rockabilly and primitive punk rock, they are wild, funny and shameless. Four ugly savage guys, and four sweet and lovely gals, covering bands such as Mickey Lee Lane, Dead Kennedys or Crazy Cavan!

MODERN PETS/P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. - SPLIT 7" (7"/DOOMTOWN SOUNDS) A notable punk rock split 7" between Germany's Modern Pets and P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. from Portland. Modern Pets already released a coule of previous singles and an LP on Modern Action. They deliver two tracks suitable for fans of The Spits, Briefs and KBD/'77 punk. The line up of P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. includes members of Pierced Arrows, Weaklings, Burning Leather, Severed Head Of State, a.o. If you're into these names, you'll love their devastating brand of sonic mayhem.

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

COSMIC DEALER - CHILD OF TOMORROW (LP+7"EP/WORLD IN SOUND) Following its CD release, now also available on black and coloured vinyl! This is a great collection of previously unissued material by Dutch early '70s cult legend Cosmic Dealer. A great combination of hardrock and influences from the psychedelic era. Luxurious LP edition including a much worth while 7" EP and poster. Wicked!

GENOCIDE ORGAN - GENOCIDE ORGAN (2LP/TESCO) Recorded between 1985 and 1990 and originally intended to be released in Japan (in 1990) as Genocide Organ's second album. This is the missing link between 'Leichenlinie' and 'Save Our Slaves'. This new edition contains three bonus tracks taken from acetate 7"es. Remastered and limited to 500 copies in deluxe gatefold sleeve.

EXPECTED RELEASES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

BRAND NEW HEAVIES - HEAVY RHYME EXPERIENCE, VOL. 1 (LP/ACID JAZZ) An Acid Jazz Silver Jubilee reissue release on 180g vinyl! 'Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol 1' is a now legendary New York collaboration between British funk masters The Brand New Heavies and what was then the frontline of American Hip Hop. The Heavies' unashamedly British take on classic funk had quickly caught the attention of many genre-defining American rappers, who realised that both parties harked back to the same influences with their appreciation of '70s soul and funk.

ORCHESTRA SUPERSTRING - KALOPIA (LP/DIONYSUS) Lead by DJ Bonebrake (known for his drumming in the seminal punk band, X), Orchestra Superstring is an ensemble of Los Angeles-based veteran musicians playing an exotic, hypnotic blend of Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz and other world music. Their sound is purely instrumental, intimate, seductive, dimensional and brings to mind a dimly lit South American dance hall, or something you might hear in a David Lynch film. 'Kalopia' is their first vinyl release and contains the best tracks from their two Dionysus CD's 'Orchestra Superstring' and 'Easy'.

SEABUCKTHORN - THE SILENCE WOKE ME (CD/BOOKMAKER) Seabuckthorn's second release for Bookmaker Records, 'The Silence Woke Me' is no doubt Andy Cartwright's most ambitious album to date. His acoustic twelve string invites you to follow him in his waking dream. Wander into an unknown world, cloaked by night and silence. Arpeggios and percussion resonate through the dark, outlining the shapes of the landscapes that surrounds you.

ANDY LEWIS & PAUL WELLER - ARE YOU TRYING TO BE LONELY? (7"/ACID JAZZ) An Acid Jazz Silver Jubilee release, presented in a 7" house bag. Paul Weller went back to his Northern Soul roots in some style on this dancer, 'Are You Trying To Be Lonely?', originally released in 2007. The single was co-written with Weller's bassist and long-standing Acid Jazz artist Andy Lewis as one of the tracks that appeared on Lewis' second album, 'You Should Be Hearing Something Now'. Upon its release 'Are You Trying To Be Lonely' swiftly moved into the UK Top 40. A dance-floor filler if ever there was one, it became an instant classic. B/w 'Tell Me Once Again You Love Me'.

DREAD FLIMSTONE - FROM THE GHETTO (7"/ACID JAZZ) Another excellent Acid Jazz Silver Jubilee release, in house bag. On 7" format for the first time, 'From The Ghetto' was the groundbreaking single and title track of Dread Flimstone's debut album, issued in spring 1992. Utilising an eclectic mix of influences that include funk, reggae and hip hop with a vocal slant towards Jamaican-style toasting, Dread Flimstone created his own unique style and niche. Upon its original release, 'From The Ghetto' quickly rose to No. 1 in the UK dance charts, and it was the first ever mix by renowned producer Danny Tenaglia. B/w 'African Roots'.

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

THE FRAYS - 90 WARDOUR STREET (LP-CD/ACID JAZZ) A release of rare mod sounds from the mid '60s! The Frays were a UK R&B-combo. Previously known as The Sneekers, they had a Shel Talmy produced single on Columbia in '64. In 1965 they changed their name to The Frays and recorded a 12-track LP at the Marquee studio in Wardour Street, London. Unfortunately the album wasn't issued at the time, since the single off the album ('Walk On' b/w Keep Me Covered', put out by Decca) didn't chart. But had this Frays LP been issued back then, it would definitely have stood shoulder to shoulder with the great British R&B albums of the era. Now, at long last, The Frays and their album '90 Wardour Street' can be appreciated as one of the very best in British R&B.

PELL MELL - FROM THE NEW WORLD (LP/LONGHAIR) A wonderful vinyl reissue of the second album by Pell Mell, originally released by Philips in 1973. Pell Mell was one of the best German kraut/sympho outfits, with flashes of psychedelia and progressive rock. Pell Mell's sound was characterized by colourful, swirling Hammond organ, breathtaking violin parts, mellotron, recorder and guitar. This reissue, with sound taken from the original master tapes, includes the original artwork, band info and never before seen photo's.

JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET - MONEY SPYDER (LP/ACID JAZZ) Again, an Acid Jazz Silver Jubilee release, pressed on 180 gram vinyl. The James Taylor Quartet's second release on Acid Jazz, recorded in one afternoon and released in 1987, 'The Money Spyder', was, at the same time, the band's first full album release, following their debut mini-album 'Mission Impossible'. It happened to also become the first UK release on the label to secure gold disc status. 'The Money Spyder' was conceived as the soundtrack to an imaginary spy film, applying the band's distinctive Hammond funk style to Taylor's own compositions. Go-go Fender guitars and Hammond organ race each other from beginning to end. Here's a cult classic that answers any questions you might have had about the relevance of Acid Jazz.

ALCATRAZ - VAMPIRE STATE BUILDING (LP/LONGHAIR) Official reissue of this classic German rock album from 1971 by the Hamburg based quintet Alcatraz. Their largely instrumental music was related to Miles Davis' 'In A Silent Way', early King Crimson and Soft Machine. This is jazz rock with a Kraut feel, including fuzz guitars and loads of effects! Remastered from the original master tapes, and featuring an additional track, original artwork and an insert with band story and pix.

MORNINGTON CRESCENT - STILL SHOCKING (LP/GUMMOPUNX) A vinyl compilation of essential Dutch punk/hardcore history! Offers the songs from their '82 demo, the 'Greetings From Amsterdam' EP and three previously unreleased recordings from that same session. Limited to 500 copies.

XINR - XINR (LP/UNSEEN FORCES) A posthumous LP-release of obscure but honest heavy metal from Portland, Oregon, recorded in 1984. What we have here are mid-paced headbangers woven together with a dual guitar attack that recalls K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton as they traded in their bellbottoms for red and black leather. Uncompromising vocals channel the outlaw ethos of Bon Scott and the theatrical enunciation of Alice Cooper. Xinr (pronounced Ex-Sinner) had all the talent and personality to make it big. Tragically, vocalist Tony Saiz and guitarist Shaun Tramel were killed in a motorcycle accident en route to their own gig in Portland on November 30th, 1984 and the band understandably never recovered from this devastating loss. History should have taken a very different turn for this band.

A new bunch of upcoming reissue-CD's fromBIG PINK includes titles from UK's early '70s folk rock unit WOODEN HORSE (their s/t album and 'II'), swamp-rock quartet BRETHREN and soul-funk acts DISCO LADIES (despite the somewhat silly name this is a cool album) and CLYDIEKING (album from '73).

SELECTED PRESS QUOTES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

VIBRAVOID - GRAVITY ZERO (CD-LP/SULATRON)reviewed by Patrick Bruneel for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) In spite of the differences in song length, with 'Gravity Zero' Vibravoid have delivered a very coherent album.

DIRTY FUSE - DIRTY FUSE (CD/GREEN COOKIE)reviewed by Patrick Bruneel for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) In these tunes we hear the adoration for Dick Dale and The Ventures. Fortunately Dirty Fuse add just enough of a fresh approach...

BODUF SONGS - INTERNAL MEMO (10"/MORC)reviewed by Benjamin van Vliet for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) ...these songs are so full of tension that one gets the feeling it might as well have been a hardcore offering, if only the songs had been arranged in a somewhat different way...

ANNELIES MONSERÉ - NEST (10"/MORC)reviewed by Benjamin van Vliet for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) This latest offering is firmly rooted in her own tradition, which she's been giving shape during the past seven years...

HOMER - COMPLETE RECORDINGS (CD/GEARFAB)reviewed by Gerald van Waes for Psyche van het Folk (excerpt) You can hear a hard rock influence, but the songs are arranged with more progressive changes in rhythm and arrangements...